Letter: Dearing blow to peace hope in Ulster

Sir: It is vital that all of our universities, not least those that deem themselves to be an "elite", take urgent steps to increase the participation rates of working-class students and ensure that both their degree programmes and teaching standards match those of many of our "newer" institutions.

It has to be recognised, though, that any commitment to a better social profile in our universities requires a more adventurous and more egalitarian funding structure. All students should receive "free" tuition and a maintenance allowance which is funded by a hypothecated tax on both existing and prospective higher income earners and wealth holders. Institutions which fail to meet a designated working-class participation rate should have their public funds substantially reduced.

ROBERT PAGE

Lecturer in Social Policy and Administration

University of Nottingham